Automobile theft alarm



Oct. 8, 1935. H. G. RAY

AUTOMOBILE THEFT ALARM Filed July l, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet l Ha@ ZJ 1R a y oct.' s, 1935. H. G. RAY 2,015,515

AUTOMOBILE THEFT ALARM Y Filed July l, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 7??. 7.' 65;' Hmhzay Ar/oA/ l MMIII" Oct. 8, 1935. H Q RAY 2,016,515

AUTOMOBILE THEFT ALARM Filed July l, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gjm/vento@ Haro Zal @Ray Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNlTED STATES Arai' OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in signals and indicators and pertains particularly to a signal and indicator system for use upon motor vehicles.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a signal system for use upon motor vehicles wherein an audible signal or alarm is set forth immediately upon the starting of the automobile engine when the control of the system has been set. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicator system for motor vehicles wherein a visual signal is established upon and by the starting of the automobile engine and which remains operative after the engine has been stopped.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system oi the character described wherein the signal elements are made active by current from the engine operated generator and wherein a warning signal is given the vehicle operator upon the closing of the ignition switch, to unlock the alarm and indicator mechanism before startg ing the engine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a signal mechanism wherein the starting of the vehicle engine will effect the tripping of an electric switch actuated by current from the engine operated generator, to establish electrical connection between the vehicle storage battery and an electrically operated signal so that the said signal will continue to be operated by current from the vehicle battery after the generator has stopped.

Still another object or the invention is to provide a signalling system of the character described for motor vehicles which is adapted to be so set that, when desired, the engine may be started and stopped any number of times without operating the signal and without the operator having to manipulate the same.

Still another object of the invention is to pro vide inrassociation with a signal system or" the character above described an automatically actuated backing signal which operates through the placing of the gear mechanism in reverse and which also serves as a light for facilitating the backing of the car at night.

The invention Ywill be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taking in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not coniined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modied so long as'such changes or modiiications mark no material departure from the salient features oi the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:-

Figure l is a diagrammatic lay-out of the sig- 5 nal system embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a View in front elevation of the bell housing and of the control housing, showing the electrical connections therebetween;

Figure 3 is a wiring iagram of the system; 10

Figure 4 is a view in rear elevation of the taillight structure, a portion being broken away to show the visual signal element of the system;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Figure l; 15

Figure 6 is a view, in front elevation of the grounding switch structure when removed from the transmission housing.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate 20 corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numerals I and 2 in Figure 1 indicate respectively portions of a motor vehicle instrumentv dashboard and cowl dash upon which certain elements of the present alarm mechanism are 25 mounted.

Upon the rear of the dashboard I of the motor vehicle is mounted the casing 3 having the removable cover t. This cover has mounted thereon a light socket 5 and a cylinder lock 6. The light 30 socket ii and lock 6 have reduced forward end portions l and 8 respectively which are threaded and extend through suitable apertures in the dashboard l and receive upon their forward ends the nuts 9 and Iii which engage against the dash- 35 board and secure the parts thereto with the casing 3. Within the socket 5 is a plug II having two terminals to which are connected the wires I2 and I3 and in the forward end of the plug is mounted an incandescent lamp I4 having suit- 40 able terminals for connection with the terminals of the wires.

Mounted upon suitable supporting screws I5 connected with the back wall of the housing 3, is an insulation panel I6 upon'the front of which is 45 mounted vertically the electro-magnet I1 which is preferably wound with 25 gauge wire. This magnet Il has a central core I8, the two ends of which are yexposed and one end of the winding of the magnet is connected with this core, while 50 the other end, which is indicated by the numeral I9, connects with the terminal 20 which is mounted upon the insulationpanel I 6.

Mounted upon the panel i6 above the magnet Il are the bracket terminals 2| and 22. The ter- 55 minal 22 has secured thereto one end of an armature carrying spring the armature which the spring carries being indicated by the numeral 2d. This armature 2li overlies the upper end of the magnet core i8 and contact is made between the armature and the bracket terminal 2i through the medium of the adjustable screw 25 which is mounted in this terminal.

At one side of the magnet il is a terminal 26 Y to which is attached one end of a spring 21 which carries an armature 28 in position beneath the lower end of the core i8 so that it might be drawn upwardly thereagainst when the magnet is energized. The opposite or free end of this armature 28 is normally held by the spring 2l against an adjustable Contact screw 25 carried by a terminal bracket 35. The terminal bracket 25 is grounded to the frame of the machine.

Upon the insulation panel i5 there is mounted beneath the armature 23 the rotor 3i which is of insulation material and which carries at diametrically opposite points the spring arms 52. This rotor at its forward end is slotted as indicated at 33 to receive the lug 55 or the rotatable inner member or barrel 35 of the lock 5. This barrel 35 may only be turned by a suitable key introduced into the forward end of the lock which is exposed on the face of the dashboard i.

Beneath the rotor Si are mounted, upon the panel l5, the spaced terminal contacts 35 and 3l, to one of which, here indicated as the contact 35, is attached one end of the spring contact arm 38 Which normally has its other end in electrical engagement with the terminal contact 3l. When the rotor 3i is turned the necessary amount the arms 32 thereof will contact with the armature 28 and the spring arm 55, lifting the armature upwardly to bring it into contact with the lower end of the magnet core I5 and breaking its connection with the terminal 35 and shifting the free end of the arm 38 away from the terminal contact 31.

Connected with the back wall of the housing 3 is a conduit 35i-which runs to and connects with the cowl dash 2 and housed in this conduit are the three electric wires C, D and F. The wire C connects with the terminal bracket 2|, while the wire D connects with the terminal bracket 22 and the wire F connects with the terminal bracket 35, Secured to the back of the cowl dash 2 is a bell housing 135 which has an open side facing the dash 2 and into which the wires referred to lead from the conduit 39. Within the housing i5 is mounted an electric signal .bell 4l having the two terminals i2 and 53. The wire D leads from the terminal 22 to the terminal #l2 of the bell and the terminal 55 of the bell has connected therewith one end of the wire K which leads to and connects with the terminal 55. This bell 4i may be of any suitable type which will operate on a six Volt current and the housing i5 in which it is enclosed is provided with side wall openings 44 to permit the sound of the operating bell to readily issue therefrom.

Connected with a wall of the bell housing D and opening thereinto, is one end of a conduit 45 which leads to and has its other and connected with the generator cut-out of the motor vehicle, which is indicated generally by the numeral 45. The wire C which leads from the terminal 2| passes through the bell housing i5 and through the conduit 55 and is connected at the point 4l of the cut-out where is attached the wire 48 which leads from the generator with which the cut-out is associated.

The letter S indicates the motor Vehicle ignition switch which controls the passage of electric current from the battery B through the ammeter 59 to the wire 83, which connects with the ignition coil (not shown) of the system and with the 5 terminal 2B.

The numeral i5 indicates generally a rear or tail light structure having the usual red rear light window 55 and stop signal 5l. At one side of the structure 49 is a light housing 52 in which is a 10 light designed to be employed as a backing light, while at the opposite side is the window 53 for the stolen car indicating light structure, about to be described.

WithinA the structure 5S and behind the win 15 dow 53 thereof, is disposed 'a bracket plate 54 upon the lower part of which are mounted the two electro-magnets 55 and 55. The bracket 54 is mounted upon an insulation body 5l and. the magnet 55 has one end of the wire wound there- 20 about electrically connected with the bracket 54, while the other magnet 55 has one end of the wire thereof electrically -connected with a terminal post 55 to which is attached one end of a wire D. The other end of this wire leads to 25 and is connected with the terminal 42 of the bell.

The magnets 55 and 55 are both wound in the same direction and with the same amount and size of wire.

Mounted upon the insulation base 5l are the 30 two terminal brackets 55 and 6i! and the bracket 59 has electrically connected therewith the other -end of the wire of the magnet 56, while the bracket 55 has the other end of the wire of magnet 55 electrically |connected to it. The terminal 35 bracket 59 has attached thereto the spring 6| which carries an armature 52 which overlies the cores in the magnets 55 and 55 but which is designed to be brought into contact only with the core of the magnet 55. 40

The bracket E Y has electrically connected therewith the other end of the wire F which leads from the terminal 55 in the housing l.

The bracket plate 511 has formed therethrough adjacent the top, the opening 52 which is formed 45 to receive the base of an incandescent bulb 63, of the center contact type. Directly behind the opening 52 of this plate is a spring Contact arm 55 with which the center contact of the bulb 55 engages, and which is electrically connected 50 with the bracket terminal 65 to which the wire F is joined. The terminal bracket 59 is grounded as indicated by the numeral 55 in the circuit diagram in Figure 3 and the core of the magnet 55 is in electrical contact with the bracket 54 55 as is also illustrated in this diagram. Y

Within the reflector behind the lens 52 of the tail light structure there is mounted a twocontact electric light 65, one contact of which is electrically connected by the wire 67 with the 60 wire 55 which is joined to the terminal 3l and which leads to the live wire connection to the armneter 59 of the motor vehicle. The other contact of this light is connected by the wire 'i5 with a grounding switch which is indicated 65 as a whole by the numeral "Ii and which is mounted upon the vehicle transmission housing adjacent the gear shift lever l2.- This grounding switch comprises a housing 'i3 in which is an insulation base 'M upon which is mounted by 70 means of the pivot 15, the metallic arm which extends upwardly through a suitable opening in the housingV 'E3 and which has pivotally attached to its upper end by means of the pivot stud 'l1 the oscillation nger 18. This finger 18 has an 75 arcuate slot 1.9 therein through which extends a securing screw which engages the arm 16 'and holds the nger in adjusted position.

The insulation base 14 carries a stud 8| to whichV is connected one end of a spring 82 which has its other end connected with the far side of the metallic arm 'I6 and which operates to constantly draw the arm toward the adjacent gear fshift lever.

The stem is connected with the electric system 'of the motor vehicle to receive current therefrom, by the wire 83 which at one end is joined to the terminal bracket 20, while the other end is connected with the side of the motor vehicle ignition switch which is dead when the said switch Iis off. It will thus be seen that the signal system may be electrically disconnected from the current .generating apparatus of the motor Yvehicle when the vehicle ignition switch is turned lon and the lock 6 properly operated. The terminal bracket 26 which is upon the opposite side .of the lelectro-magnet I1 from the terminal 28, is .grounded as indicated at 84 in Figures 2 and 3.

rThe operation of the system is as follows:- When the properly authorized person enters the vvehicle equipped with the signal system and turns `on the ignition switch preparatory to starting the engine, current will flow through the wire 83 to the signal light kI4 by way of the wires I2 and I3. This is possible as the normal position of 'the armature 28 is in contact with the terminal .2-9 so that the proper ground connection is made for the signal light I4, as is illustrated in the -circuit di-agram shown in Figure 3. This warns ythe operator not to start the engine until the -signal system has been shut off by the proper ymanipulation of the cylinder 35 of the lock 5. .By inserting the key in the lock 6 the cylinder 35 `is then turned through one-half rotation so that the larms 32 will turn over from the positions `shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 or in full lines .in Figure 3 and thus pass under and raise the armature 28 into contact with the'magnet I'I. This will break the circuit to the light I4 but will ,permit the current from the ignition switch to pass through the magnet to the ground 84 by way of the armature 28 and thus hold the armature raised and at the same time the magnet will attract the overlying armature 24 so as to break the Aelectric line leading from the cut-out 46 to the signal bell 4I. It is to be understood that the rotor 3| must be turned over a complete half turn to the point wherethe arms 32 will be free from contact with the armature 28 and the contact-arm Y353 so that when the engine ignition is turned oir the armature 28 will be free to drop 4back into contact with the terminal 29 and the contact arm 38 will bridge the terminals 36 and 43l. The motor vehicle engine may then be started without affecting the signal system.

Since the closed ignition switch of the motor vehicle results in the holding of the armatures 124 and 28 in contact with the core of the electromagnet Il, it will be seen that even though the vehicle engine stop it can be started up again without having to manipulate the locking key which controls the rotor 3l. However, after the operator of the Vehicle brings the same to a stop in the place where the machine is to be left, and

turns oi the ignition, the armatures 24 and 28 will be released by the magnet Il and, with- -out further attention to the vsignal system, the latter will be automatically ready to vgive warningif Aanyone" -attempts to start the engine, who

magnet 58 and to the ground 65.

`does not have `the key necessary to turn'the rotor 3 I.

After the machine has been left, should an unauthorized person attempt to start the motor,

the signal bell 4I will immediately be set into Yoperation for as soon as the engine begins 'to run some of the current generated by the engine generator will pass through the wire C to the terminal 2l and from there by way of the armature 24, will pass to the wire D to the signal bell, the circuit from the bell being completed through `the wire K, the armature 28, to the ground 84. At the same time the electro-magnetic switch housed in the tail light behind the window 53 will become effective by a portion of the current from the generator passing through the wire D which is .connected with the terminal 42, to the electro- This will result in the drawing down, by the magnet 56, of the the armature 62 which will be brought into contact with the core of the magnet 55. This arma ture does not, however, contact with the core of the magnet 55. As soon as the armature 62 is drawn into contact with the core of the magnet 55 current will ilow from the storage .battery of the motor vehicle, by way of the wire 68 which is coupled with the vehicle ammeter, through the Contact arm 38 and wire F, to the signal lamp 63 from where it will pass to the ground by way of the bracket plate 54, the core of the magnet 55, and the armature 62.

At the same time the current will ilow through the coil of the magnet 55 and to the ground through this magnet core and the armature 62 so that even though the person in the machine shuts off the engine so as to abandon the machine as a result of the ringing of the signal bell, the signal light 63 will continue to operate as it does not depend for its operation upon the running of the motor operated generator.

Where it is desired to leave the motor vehicle so that it may be moved about, but the operator does not wish to vleave in the vehicle the key for the manipulation of the lock, as, for example, when the machine is to be parked upon a parking lot, where it is necessary to leave the keys with an attendant, the signal system maybe set by the operator of the machine, by giving the rotor 3i a quarter turn and leaving it in the position in which it is shown in full lines in Figure 2. It will thus Abe seen that the circuit to the signal lamp I4 is opened as also is the circuit'to the rear signal lamp 63. The parking lot attendant may then move the machine as necessary without operating either the audible or visual signals of the alarm system for, as will lbe readily apparent, as soon as the ignition switch is turned on for the purpose of moving the machine some current will flow throughthe magnet Il so as to draw down the armature 24 and thus break the circuit to the signal bell. n

Should the present signal system be employed in motor vehicles having automatically operating starters where the starter operates to turn the engine over as soon as the ignition switch is turned on, a slightly different preliminary proce'- dure is followed. In this case the controlling key for the lock 5 is given a quarter turn .beforel the ignition switch of the engine is closed, so that the elements in the control box I will assume .the position in which they are shown in full lines in Figure 2. After the motor has started the key may then be turned the rest of the way or though the necessary y movement so that the rotor 3| will assume the position in which it is shown in Figure 3.

The backing light 56 which is housedV in the rear light structure H9, operates automatically when the gear shift lever is moved to put the car in reverse. As will be readily apparent from the circuit diagram taken with the grounding switch structure shown in Figure 1, as soon as the lever 'l2 is shifted to reverse position it will be brought into contact with the linger 'I8 of the grounding switch and the circuit for the line 66 will be completed. In addition to the light 66 functioning as a means for illuminating the ground in the rear of the machine when the same is to be backed, the lens in the window 52 of the tail light may have the word, Back thereon so that it will serve at all times as a warning to persons in the rear that the machine is to be moved rearwardly.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:--

l. An alarm for a motor vehicle having an engine operated generator, an ignition switch and a battery source of potential, comprising an alarm signal element, current conducting means connecting one side of said element with one side of the generator and including a signal switch, the other side of said generator being connected to one side of the battery source of potential, an electric current conductor connecting the other side of the signal with the said one side oi the battery source oi potential and including a second signal switch, an electromagnet including a coil and core, said signal switches each including a pair of contacts and an arm connected with one contact and movable relative to the other, said signal switches being on opposite sides of the alarm, said electromagnet having its core disposed between the arms of said signal switches for the attraction and opening 0i `the same4 when the magnet is energized, an electric conductor connected between one side of said magnet coil and said source of potential and having said ignition switch in circuit in the connection, the other side of said coil being electrically connected with the magnet core for connection through a switch arm with the other side of the source of potential, and a key controlled camming element adapted when actuated to bring said last mentioned signal switch arm into electric connection with the magnet core.

2. An alarm for a motor vehicle having an engine operated generator, an ignition switch and a battery source of potential, comprising an alarm signal element, an electric current conductor connecting one side of said element with one side of the generator, the other side of said generator being connected to one sidev of said battery source of potential, an electric current conductor connecting the other side of the signal with the other side of the source of electric potential, an electromagnet including a coil and core, a pair of switches each including a pair of contacts and an arm connected with one contact and movable relative to the other, said switches being connected in circuit with the alarm and the generator on opposite sides of the alarm the said electrolmagnet having its core disposed between the arms of said switches for `the attraction and opening of the same when the magnet is energized, an electric conductor connected between one side of said magnet coil and said source of potential and having said ignition switch in circuit in the connection, the other side of said coil being electrically connected with the magnet core for connection through a switch arm with the other side of the source of potential, a key controlled camming element adapted when actuated to bring said last mentioned switch arm into electric connection Y with the magnet core, a second alarm signal, a circuit including the second signal and said source of electric potential, a second electromagnet having an armature and a co-re, said second armature and core when brought together being in circuit with and closing the circuit of the second signal and further placing the magnet in circuit with the source of potential, an electromagnetic means electrically connected with and operated by current developed by the generator to initially move the armature of the second mentioned magnet into contact with its core.

3. An alarm for a motor vehicle having an engine operated generator, an ignition switch and a battery source of potential, comprising a signal, an electric circuit having the signal and the generator therein, key operated means for opening said circuit, and electrically actuated means placed in circuit with said battery source of potential when said key operated means is actuated after the switch is closed, which maintains said electric circuit open independently of the said key operated means.

4. In an alarm for a motor vehicle having an engine operated generator, an ignition switch and a battery source of potential, an electric circuit having the generator therein, a signal in said circuit, a pair of switches in said circuit and on opposite sides of the signal, a second circuit having said ignition switch and said battery source of potential therein and including a portion of the first circuit, key operated means for actuating one of the switches of said pair to open the same, and electromagnetic means in the second circuit which is energized when the second circuit is closedsaid second circuit being Vclosed by the actuation of the said one of the pair of switches when the latter is actuated to open the rst circuit, and said electromagnetic means when energized effecting the opening of the other one of the pair of switches.

5. In an alarm for a motor vehicle having a generator, an ignition switch and a battery source of potential, an electric circuit having said switch and battery source of potential therein, an elecr tromagnet in said circuit, saidmagnet having a coil connected to the core thereof, a grounded armature for said magnet constituting a switch arm, said armature normally being spaced from the magnet core, key operated means for moving said armature toward said core,v the movement of the armature by said means closing said circuit and energizing said magnet after the ignition switch has been closed, a signal circuit having said generator Vtherein and including said grounded armature, said armature when influenced by the energized electromagnet maintaining said signal circuit open, a signal device in said circuit, a second armature for the electromagnet constituting a second switch in said signal circuit which is opened when the first mentioned circuit is closed, a distinctive rear light signal circuit having said battery source of potential and a signal element therein, an electromagnetically operated switch in said tail light signal circuit, and means for conducting electric current to said tail light circuit controlling switch from a point in the rst circuit between the first signal and the said second switch.

6. In an alarm for a motor vehicle having a generator, an ignition switch and a battery source of potential, an electric circuit having said ignition switch therein, a second switch in said circuit, key operated means for closing said second switch, the closing of the second switch completing the circuit after the closing of the ignition switch, means operating to retain the second switch closed after the actuation and independently of the key operated means therefor, a signal circuit having said generator therein, a signal in the signal circuit, means actuated by the second switch retaining means for maintaining the signal circuit open while the rst circuit is closed, a second signal, and means operated by the iiow of current through the signal circuit to electrically couple and maintain the second signal in circuit with said battery source of potential after the circuit for the iirst signal has been opened.

'7. An alarm for a motor vehicle having an engine operated generator, an ignition switch, and a battery source of potential, comprising a signal, an electrical connection between one side of the signal and one side of the generator, a second switch, electricity conducting means having said second switch therein and grounding the other side of said signal when the second switch is closed, key operated means for opening the second switch and grounding the ignition switch, and electromagnetic means which is placed in circuit with said battery source of potential and said ignition switch and energized when the ignition switch grounded, to maintain the second switch openupon operation of the key operated means to effect the opening of the second switch while the ignition switch is closed.

8. An alarm for a motor Vehicle having an engine operated generator, an ignition switch, and a battery source of potential, comprising a signal, an electrical connection between one side of the signal and one side of the generator, a second switch, electricity conducting means having said second switch therein and grounding the other side of said signal when the second switch is closed, key operated means forA opening the second switch, electromagnetic means in circuit with said battery source of potential and said ignition switch for maintaining the second switch open upon operation of the key operated means when the ignition switch is closed, means operated by the energization of the said electromagnetic means for opening the said connection between the signal and generator, a distinctive rear signal, means electrically connecting one side of the said distinctive rear signal with the source of battery potential, an electromagnet including a coil, core and armature, said armature being grounded and said distinctive rear signal being electrically connected with the core, said coil being connected'at one end with said core and at its other end with the battery through said last means, and a second electromagnet arranged to attract said armature when energized, having one side grounded and having electrical connection between its other side and the portion of the electricity conducting means between the iirst signal and the said means for opening the connection between the rst signal and generator.

9. In an alarm for a motor vehicle having a generator, an ignition switch and a battery source of potential, an electric circuit having said ignition switch therein, a second switch in said circuit, key operated means for closing said second switch, the closing of the second switch completing the circuit after the closing of the ignition switch, means operating to retain the second switch closed after the actuation and independently of the key operated means therefor, a signal circuit having said generator therein, a signal in the signal circuit, means actuated by the second switch retaining means for maintaining the signal circuit open while the first circuit is closed, a second signal, a circuit having said second signal and sourceof potential in series therein, a switch in said last circuit, electromagnetic means connected with and energized only by current from said generator and which when energized closes the last mentioned switch, and means made operative by the closing of the last mentioned switch which maintains the said last mentioned switch closed after the circuit for the nrst signal has been opened.

HAROLD G. RAY. 

